Overview

We have entered a new frontier for education. Technology has brought facts and information to the palm of our hand with the touch of a button. Teachers no longer need to be the bearers of information, but rather the coaches of learning. Throughout the year students will be guided through the cycle of inquiry using their own interests & passions to drive their personal skill & knowledge development. Students will work with their coach and mentor to improve their learning process and share their learning with the greater CDS community in our annual SDL Evening Showcase held in the spring.

Goals

Growth in the following skills:

• Character: integrity, wise use of time & resources, perseverance & responsibility, respects others work & time

• Collaboration: utilizing peers, mentor, and instructor to test their ideas & improve their work

• Communication: Presents information in a clear, effective, & logical manner

• Community: Promoting a healthy learning environment, assisting & providing feedback to peers

• Critical Thinking: Evaluating sources, synthesizing information, developing realistic goals & plans, problem-solving & learning from mistakes

• Curiosity: Developing inquiry skills & conducting thorough research

Course Outline

Quarter 1: Self-exploration & Begin Skills Project

Quarter 2: Finish Skills Project, Junior Project Topic Selection & Initiate Inquiry

Quarter 3: Junior Project Research & Product Proposal

Quarter 4: Junior Project Research & Product Creation, Presentation at SDL Evening Showcase

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on the following learner outcome categories:

• Character, Collaboration, Communication, Community, Critical Thinking, Curiosity

Students will self-assess their proficiency in each of these categories at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. Their coach and mentors will also assess students in these categories at the end of each semester. Students will also be self-assessing & reflecting on their learning progress each class, including a self-reflection included in their semester report cards. Students will receive either a Pass or Fail for the class in Powerschool each quarter. If a student passes three or more quarters, they will pass the class for the year. If they fail two or more quarters, they will fail the class for the year. This will be determined by a combination of effort, growth, and achievement.